Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in refractory pediatric cardiac arrest

The purpose of this article is to discuss the indications for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), physiologic and mechanical issues that arise in patients managed with ECPR, and optimal patient selection for ECPR. ECPR can provide very good outcomes for some children who, in all likelihood, would otherwise have died. Having the capability to routinely offer ECPR represents an enormous institutional commitment of people and resources. For ECPR to be successful, it must be rapidly deployed, patients must be selected with care, and consistently excellent conventional CPR must take place while awaiting ECPR.